Succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson, who won 13 league titles during his time at the club, was always going to be difficult, but few expected this season to have gone so badly.

The list of unwanted records broken by Moyes is as embarrassing as it is long. United are guaranteed to end the season with their worst points total in Premier League history, they have failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in almost two decades while Moyes’ home record is the worst of any United boss since 1978 when Dave Sexton was in charge.

The Red Devils are seventh in the Barclays Premier League with four matches to go, with Europa League qualification now also looking unlikely.